At least 14 people were taken to hospital after an explosion hit a restaurant in Feng Chia business district in Taichung city Tuesday lunchtime, local media said.

A man surnamed Wu reportedly suffered burns on over 90 percent of his body and is in critical conditions. Other victims included a 35-year-old pregnant woman and six people believed to be students from a nearby university.

A series of explosions were heard emanating from the restaurant in the business zone at 12:22 p.m., and fire enveloped the site and an adjacent clothing store, a noodle restaurant and a curry restaurant, local fire authorities said.

The combination of a gas leak and turning off an electric fan on the second floor might have caused the blaze, according to local authority.

The fire is under control and further investigation is underway.